I was born during the Reagan administration, during the last years. Unfortunately, I remember nothing from this time period. Neither do I remember Bush Sr.?s campaign and victory.

My first political memory, though I hardly thought of it that way … and really hardly ever thought about it, was Operation: Desert Storm. I remember that only because the news would come on after Winnie the Pooh, and they?d show our men in trenches.

I don?t remember Clinton?s first term, but I do remember his impeachment process. I was young, but bitterly disappointed when he was let off the hook. I thought that was wrong.

I remember going to the polls with my parents and younger siblings to vote. We voted in a big gym, as I remember. I did kids voting. I remember voting for Jesse Helms and Bob Dole. Not that my votes counted, but early on the responsibility of voting was clearly imprinted on my mind. I remember my mom showing me what the inside of those blue, plastic voting booths was like, though I didn?t go in with her while she voted.

I remember ? vaguely ? George Jr.?s campaign for presidency. I was getting old enough I started to care about politics. At least a little. That was the first time I stayed up to watch who would win. I remember his re-election and how the counting went on … and on … and on. And the recounting. I stayed up for that too. And though I wondered why an official winner was declared but the counting continued I began to understand as the days … and weeks … drug on.

Before that, though, I remember 9-11. We cut the TV on because my frantic great-aunt called. I saw the airplane smash into the second tower. I saw the Pentagon on fire, I saw the plane downed in that Pennsylvania field. I saw people stepping out of the towers hundreds of feet above the ground. I heard the thump-thumping of their bodies hit the roofs of the towers at the ground. I saw the first tower collapse in dust and flames. I saw the second tower follow suit as people ran a marathon against the tide of debris on the streets, and I saw many lose that race.

I remember President Bush?s response. I think he was at his finest then ? no pretension, just his honest, genuine self. A Texan boy, an American ? just like the rest of us. And, like the rest of us, he wasn?t going to take this attack sitting down.

I remember campaigning for local people to be elected into the State House. I reckon that was when I actually became involved. When I realized that politics wasn?t just something that happened on TV. It was something that impacted everyone, and I could do something about it, even though I couldn?t yet vote.

I remember voting my first time. We had moved by then, now we went to a school classroom to vote ? there they gave you a round of applause for voting your first time. They were excited to see young people involved. I?ve voted every election I knew of since that time.

I remember this last presidential campaign cycle. I remember all of the drama and emotions on both sides of the fence. I remember both the depths of despair and the heights of ecstasy had by both parties over the election of America?s first African-American president.

I remember not watching Duke play basketball so I could watch C-Span to see if the HealthCare bill would pass. I knew it would. I knew Speaker Pelosi wouldn?t have called for a vote if it would fail. But I had to watch anyway.

I remember the drastic differences of reactions to that law. I actually think it matched the emotions of President Obama?s election. At least, in my circles it seemed to.

And I wonder. What will I remember about this election? Will those running for office keep their promises? Will the Tea Party actually make an impact? Will Republicans actually take over the General Assembly for the first time in scores of years? Will the Democrats show that in spite of ? or is it because of ? the reforms made since January that their voter base is loyal and strong?

I don?t know. It promises to be rememberable either way. This history remains to be written. And we the people get to carve it in stone.